By: Miriam Rosas González | @gestari.bienestarperinatal
Did you know that we have a significant window of opportunity to contribute to the brain development of our children, and that this begins from pregnancy?
This pertains to the first 1000 days of life, spanning pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. The type of nutrition provided during this stage has the ability to shape the growth and functional development of the body, in addition to having effects on lifelong metabolic programming. This means that the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases can be reduced. Furthermore, during these three stages, the brain is one of the organs most vulnerable to poor nutrition. Therefore, it is recommended to have optimal nutrition in order for the brain to reach its full developmental potential."
Pregnancy (conception to birth)
The baby's brain grows at an incredible rate during pregnancy. By 16 days, the neural tube has formed, and by 4 weeks, the brain already has around 10,000 cells. By week 24, this number increases to 10 trillion! The nutrition the baby receives through the mother's diet is essential for the creation of neurons and for laying the foundations for learning. When a mother doesn't consume enough calories, protein, fats, or key nutrients like folate, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, and certain fats such as DHA, this neurological development is compromised.
Infancy (birth-6 months)
During this stage, the brain is developing motor functions such as balance, coordination, and posture, while also being a critical time for creating and retrieving memories.
And when it comes to brain development, we have the ultimate "superfood": breast milk! Did you know that babies fed with breast milk show better results in intelligence tests? Breastfeeding for 12 months or more is associated with an increase of 3 points in the intelligence quotient!
Achieving successful breastfeeding is highly important, and the mother's diet plays a significant role. Through her diet, the quantity and quality of breast milk can be modified, especially the amount of DHA, a key nutrient for brain development.
Childhood (6 months - 2 years)
During this stage, the brain is also rapidly developing. The speed of neuronal processing (how quickly the brain interprets and transmits information) increases dramatically, enabling the baby's brain to perform more complex tasks.
Nutrition remains the primary fuel for proper brain development, and during this stage, key nutrients include protein, iron, zinc, and iodine. Iron deficiency has been associated with reduced attention and interaction with caregivers and teachers, as well as increased stress and anxiety levels in adulthood.
It's in your hands to ensure that your baby achieves their full developmental potential. You just need to make the best choices regarding the quality and quantity of foods. Avoid highly processed foods, do not introduce salt to your baby's diet before the age of one, and avoid sugar before the age of two. Make sure you have the tools to introduce complementary feeding in the best way possible, ensuring that the requirements for each nutrient in each stage are met.
Miriam Rosas González Master in clinical nutrition
Director of GESTARI perinatal nutrition and wellness center
For more information follow on Instagram at @gestari.bienestarperinatal
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